Presby Memorial Iris Gardens bloom with color each spring for four to six weeks – becoming known as “the rainbow on the hill.” Visits to this free garden are welcome but donations may be suggested.
Visitors to Montclair Gardens’ peak bloom period (which runs from May 24th until June 3rd this year), can witness a magnificent array of vibrant irises. At 474 Upper Mountain Avenue in Montclair, these gardens were named in honor of Frank H. Presby – local horticulturist and founder of The American Iris Society who amassed an extensive collection of specimens from across the world. Additionally, this garden features early cultural art scene, seven-step staircase and Walther House that serves as gift shop/Citizens Committee management of daily operations of gardens daily operations.
This historic garden, listed on both State and National Registers of Historic Sites, consists of 26 Iris Beds and Four Fence Beds that each feature an Iris that has been registered with The American Iris Society – some heirloom irises date back as far as 16th Century!
John C. Wister of Harvard University landscape architecture fame first created these gardens in 1927 after they were inspired by Presby’s personal collection of iris blooms and his desire for something more beautiful than just a municipal park. Irises were donated from both gardens as well as from private Montclair homes and American Iris Society members donating donations of their irises for inclusion. Today’s gardens still showcase many original Presby varieties alongside hybridized varieties created over time, some being one-of-a-kind varieties!
While irises may be the star attraction, other flowers, including hydrangeas and camellias, thrive as well. Beds are framed by purple weeping beeches, fringe trees, katsuras, redbuds and ginkgoes for extra visual interest – there is even a bee sanctuary!
The Gardens are open every night from dusk until dawn and offer a suggested donation of $10 per person, with parking available in the small lot at the entrance, along the street above it, and nearby Highland Avenue. Visitors should respect the gardens by not walking in or trampling their beds or blooms and picking flowers – instead there’s an excellent gift shop offering vases, seedlings, books on growing and caring for irises as well as children’s gardening tools & more – including commemorative gardens, benches or tree plantings! Donate now here –
